Tags:
Journalism of Courage
Losing out to China in the construction of an important stretch of the historic Stilwell Road,that once connected Ledo in Assam to Kumming in China,is a setback to the geopolitical calculations India has been making in its eastern neighbourhood. This section links the Pangsau Pass on the Arunachal Pradesh border to Myitkyina in Myanmars Kachin state. New Delhis shortsightedness is an open book. Yet,in this case,India had expressed its eagerness to develop the stretch from Ledo to Tanai. Myanmar,long reluctant to reopen a road that courses through insurgent territory,has however preferred its best friend China.
The old Stilwell Road was built by General Joseph Stilwell during World War II,to outflank the advancing Japanese army and establish a land supply route to China. India awaited its reopening and rebuilding of its damaged and disappeared portions to provide its own landlocked Northeast with a much-needed gateway. Rebuilding and reusing this existing infrastructure would be the Northeasts easiest entry into Southeast Asia. Strategically,the Stilwell Road would bolster Indias Look East policy and facilitate trade by opening border points. But getting the opportunity to build a key section of the road would have helped India also check Chinas pervasive and still-spreading influence in the region.
Instead of ruing an opportunity lost,Delhi should speed up and not let Indias neighbours dictate its pace and profit.
